In this news alert:

UNITED STATES – Federal Judges in Hawaii and Maryland Block Key Parts of Second Executive Order on Immigration

Hawaii

On 15 March 2017, a federal judge in Hawaii issued a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) with nationwide effect, blocking key parts of the Trump Administration's second Executive Order on travel and visa issuance, which was due to come into effect on 16 March 2017.

This TRO temporarily suspends section 2 of the Executive Order, which suspends entry for nationals of six countries - Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen, as well as section 6, which suspends travel of refugees into the United States, and decisions on applications for refugee status, for 120 days.

Maryland and Washington

On 16 March 2017, a federal judge in Maryland issued a second, narrower nationwide injunction, suspending only section 2 of the Executive Order.

A ruling is also expected from a federal judge in Washington state.

Background

On 6 March 2017, President Donald Trump released a revised executive order entitled Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry into the United States, following legal challenges to the preceding order issued earlier this year.

The new Order differs from the previous Order in several important respects.

Action Items

As these legal challenges work their way through various federal courts, affected individuals should consult with an immigration attorney for the latest information and guidance on how these court actions might apply in a particular case.